Quilting refers to the process of sewing through multiple layers of fabric and wadding. It has many purposes - it holds the quilt together, ensures the wadding remains evenly distributed through many years of use and washing, it highlights the design of the quilt, adds a three-dimensional quality, and creates the distinctive "up and down" physical feel of a really good quilt.

Once you have sewn a top layer for your quilt, whether it is simple or complex, the process of quilting can begin.

Start by laying your backing fabric out, right side down, with a layer of wadding on top. If you are planning to hand-sew the quilting, choose thinner wadding.

Make sure the wadding is 2-3 inches larger than your top layer, and the backing fabric is 3-4 inches larger than your top layer.

Finally, lay out your top layer, right side up, and tack, pin, or spray baste the three layers in place.

You can hand quilt, machine quilt, or use the traditional tying method.

With the development of specialised long-arm quilting machines, many people choose to have their quilting done by a professional - but where's the fun in that?

The important thing in hand quilting is to create stitches of the same length on both the front and the back of the quilt. This is called running stitch.

The actual length of the stitches is not as important as keeping them even.

Hand quilting is generally done using a quilting frame or hoop to hold the fabric flat.

Quilt along the design lines in running stitch. Hand quilting takes a lot of time, but for many quilters it is a relaxing and therapeutic pastime.

This is quicker and easier than hand quilting, but does take some practice. Machines can really mess up, and mess up a lot of fabric fast!

There are three types of quilting you can do with a machine.

Basic Machine Quilting

Stitch lines no more than 4 inches apart across the entire quilt.

Quilting "In The Ditch"

Stitch the quilting lines into the seam lines of a block design. This works if the blocks are smaller than 4 inches across. A variation, called "outline quilting", runs the quilting lines each side of the block seams, about a quarter of an inch away from the seam.

Free Motion Quilting

With free motion quilting, you can follow curved lines and shapes, rather than just quilting straight lines. It takes quite a lot of practice to move the fabric smoothly and maintain an even stitch with free motion quilting, so it is not recommended for beginners.

An old, traditional quilting method, tied quilting produces an old-fashioned, rustic look. It is also the fastest way to quilt!

Use doubled Perle cotton, and do a couple of back stitches through all three layers, about an inch and a half into your quilt. Tie the tail with a reef knot and trim the ends. Move about three inches along, and repeat.

Keep going until you have quilted a grid across your entire quilt.

You can personalise your quilt by adding beads, buttons, sequins, or any other decoration which takes your fancy.